Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-01-28

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state dinner, entertaining the cabinet and
few others at one Of the handsomest
banquets ever spread in the White House.
The presence Of che bride Of the cabinet,
Mrs. Lamar, added peculiar eclat to the
dinner. as well as that afforded by the
coming of Governor Fitzhugh Lee and
wife from Richmond, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry q. Davis from Raltimore. The en-
tire lower floor zion was in gala
dress for on, So state
apart deliberately decKed witt
4 Letting parlors, the Red
blue Rooms, had the manteIs
ndow Lodges banked with foil
ut triple windows OF the Blue Par
ire hidden behind an effective mass
tall and inoddlng tropical plants,
Vi bright border at the base Of poin-
setta bushes and azaleas IN white bloom.
The East Room was converted into a bow
err. All the chandeliers and mirrors we're
garlanded with smiaX, and each Of the
Shree northern an southern windows had
massed in front of it pyramid of foliage.
The pillars near the portiere-hung door,
way opening on the corridor were twined
it'll smilax, and on the face of each was
an American shield, with alternate stripes
OF red and white fmmortelles and a blue
field dotted with marguerites. The cas-
tern window had an effective massing of
luxuriant foliage rising almost to the
ceiling from bed of moss.
Along the scarlet-carpeted hall there
were stands of flowers, and in the square
hall. near the west stairway, there were
many handsome plants in wicker baskets.
The table was spread in the State dining
room, and almost nestled in a bed of
flowers. The windows were banked with
foliage plants and white aZ8las, and the
mantels a bed of jap0nlcas edged with
falling grasses and pendant rosebuds. On
the side boards at each end were parts OF
the magnificent dinner service used, with
here and there wicker basket of ferns to
give effect. Mrs. Cleveland gave great
deal of attention to this dinner. particu-
larry because it was the first large dinner
over which she has presided, and actually
the beginningof her social administration
The labors of her chef downstairs have
been the object of gres.v solicitude, and
when the news came up that his sculpture
in stearine. for the masterpieces of the
whole decoration were turning from the
molds with perfect success, there was re-
joicing upstairs. Tonight Mrs. Cleveland
knowing that everything was perfect
came downstairs just before seven, accom-
p2nied by Der guests, Mrs. Goodyear ano
Mrs .Slcard, to receive the company in the
East Room.
Following time-honored precedent, a
few minutes later Secretary Bayard escort.
ed the President downstairs. and togethel
they walked about the room until all had
met their host. By eight there was -four
ish of music, and the President, giving biz
arm to Mrs. Manning, led the way to The
dining room. the procession closing ny
wi the fair hostess Of the na,4sion.
escG Secretary Bavard.
AT table were ted as fol-
lows: At tnc nd, President Cleye,
land sat in the centre, with Mrs. Mannipz
on his right, then Secretary Whitney ana
Mrs. Lamar, General Sheridan, aud Mrs
Lee, Mr.. Henry q. Davis and Mrs. August
Belmont. On the President 8 left were
Mrs. Villas, Secretary Endicott, Mrs. Car
Isle, Secretary Lamar, Mrs. Fairchild and
Mr.. John T. Andrew, of Massachusetts.
On the opposite side, Mrs. Clevelend had
the centre seat. with Secretary Bayard On
her right. then Mrs Sherman, Mr.. Villas,
Mrs. Harmony. Speaker Carlisle, Mrs.
Davis and Mrs. Fairchild. On Mrs.
Cleyeland's LETT was Secretary Manning,
Mrs. Endicott, Senator John Sherman,
Mrs. Sheridan, Governor Lee and Mrs.
Andrew Commodore Harmony and
Mrs. Chas. w. Goodyear, of Buffalo, had
the north end seats, and Senator Beck and
Mrs. George J. Sicard, of Buffalo, sat at
the south.
The long glass mirror, with It's oddly
hraade brass border, which has graced al!
re stats banquets from time immemorial.
ID 6onight-a most artistic burden OF
Rers. AroLnd the edge was a garland
red and white camellias, flaming tulips,
sprayed with hyaeinths and es of
valley. In the centre
9 foated a canoe, che k
white carnations, the
lax, and freight of Fpl
& lilies Of the valley. The oai. &c
flanded with smilax. On the ends IT
plateau were round vases full to over.
wing with Marshal Mel roses. Shaded
ass candelabra were at each corner. and
north end was design, babies and
holding rope of smiiax and up
pyramid, upon which rested a.
de fOe graS, topped with A
NO fLnr